Round 1 Team

[Wittenberg]

The Mighty Nighty played a lot of last year injured and was still our best winger.. Also, his form for the KIWI's was outstanding, vintage Nightingale. He'll be up for a good year for sure, you can bet your cash monies on that.

Just shows how bad our wingers were in 2015.

 

[Wittenberg]

Prefer to describe Flo as the 'Once Mighty Nighty' but still warrants a starting spot in our 13.

 

[tumbidragon]

Just shows how bad our wingers were in 2015.

Can't argue with that as a whole. But thought Nabuli was good at times. Pete M' did well, but we definitely ran with a few 'Mr fix it's'.
I still believe Flo's class will once again shine in 16. Especially if he plays outside of either THEDugan or Lafai. He won't let us down. Never has.

 

[kit66]

Can't argue with that as a whole. But thought Nabuli was good at times. Pete M' did well, but we definitely ran with a few 'Mr fix it's'.
I still believe Flo's class will once again shine in 16. Especially if he plays outside of either THEDugan or Lafai. He won't let us down. Never has.

If Nightie stays injury free he'll be back to his best, I have no doubt. He's far from done.

I was just looking back at who played where in the backs in 2015 and was astonished at the sheer number of changes. I've listed below who played in each position just to point out what a good job we did to just make the finals considering all the upheaval. Can't see us having that many changes this year. Even if we're hit by injuries we'll have very competent specialists to cover for us with the only question mark being left wing.

This is who started one or more games in each position ;

1. Duges / Mata'utia / Hunt
2. Nabuli / Mata-utia / YKT / Farrell / Green / Hunt / Nightie
3. Aitken / Nielsen
4. Mata-utia / Farrell / Will Matthews ( round 22, lasted 15 mins - can't remember who replaced him there ).
5. Nightie / Nabuli / Mata-utia / Runciman / Hunt / Farrell.

My backline to start 2016, ( left wing could change depending on performances in the trials I guess ).

1. Mann
2. Mata-utia
3. Lafai
4. Duges
5. Nightie

 

[Como Connection]

If Nightie stays injury free he'll be back to his best, I have no doubt. He's far from done.

I was just looking back at who played where in the backs in 2015 and was astonished at the sheer number of changes. I've listed below who played in each position just to point out what a good job we did to just make the finals considering all the upheaval. Can't see us having that many changes this year. Even if we're hit by injuries we'll have very competent specialists to cover for us with the only question mark being left wing.

This is who started one or more games in each position ;

1. Duges / Mata'utia / Hunt
2. Nabuli / Mata-utia / YKT / Farrell / Green / Hunt / Nightie
3. Aitken / Nielsen
4. Mata-utia / Farrell / Will Matthews ( round 22, lasted 15 mins - can't remember who replaced him there ).
5. Nightie / Nabuli / Mata-utia / Runciman / Hunt / Farrell.

My backline to start 2016, ( left wing could change depending on performances in the trials I guess ).

1. Mann
2. Mata-utia
3. Lafai
4. Duges
5. Nightie

Marketo replaced him

 

[Dragon66]

Just shows how bad our wingers were in 2015.

What is shows more than anything is how bad our backline attack was. None of our centre combinations from last season displayed a great deal of vision or skill with the ball in hand. As Mary has consistently said his primary focus was on defence. That included the outside backs.

So with the limited opportunities our wingers got with the ball,other than running out of dummy half or carting the ball off our own line,I think it's a bit harsh to say they are not up to standard anymore.

The possible new combination in the backs should mean they will get more opportunities to find the line this season. We saw what Nighty could bo for NZ recently.

I'm expecting him to have a big year as long as he avoids injury.

 

[hewi]

No Tyson Frizzel till round 2 or 3 due recovering from back surgery. Bummer.

 

[Cagey Mac]

No Tyson Frizzel till round 2 or 3 due recovering from back surgery. Bummer.

Agreed but it's so good to have depth with Matthews, Lui, McCarthy, et al, getting the chance to show their stuff early.

 

[BennyV]

Matthews slots in, the wheel keep on turning. Of more concern is how the back injury affects 2016 for Tyson.

 

[BlackDuckSaint]

Matthews slots in, the wheel keep on turning. Of more concern is how the back injury affects 2016 for Tyson.

I think post surgery Frizzell will be a lot better off than if he just tried to soldier on the whole season.

 

[Objective View]

If Nightie stays injury free he'll be back to his best, I have no doubt. He's far from done.

I was just looking back at who played where in the backs in 2015 and was astonished at the sheer number of changes. I've listed below who played in each position just to point out what a good job we did to just make the finals considering all the upheaval. Can't see us having that many changes this year. Even if we're hit by injuries we'll have very competent specialists to cover for us with the only question mark being left wing.

This is who started one or more games in each position ;

1. Duges / Mata'utia / Hunt
2. Nabuli / Mata-utia / YKT / Farrell / Green / Hunt / Nightie
3. Aitken / Nielsen
4. Mata-utia / Farrell / Will Matthews ( round 22, lasted 15 mins - can't remember who replaced him there ).
5. Nightie / Nabuli / Mata-utia / Runciman / Hunt / Farrell.

My backline to start 2016, ( left wing could change depending on performances in the trials I guess ).

1. Mann
2. Mata-utia
3. Lafai
4. Duges
5. Nightie

You forgot JDB at half back :crazy:

Straight Shooter

 

[kit66]

You forgot JDB at half back :crazy:

Straight Shooter

Yeah, I've moved on. Some things are best forgotten.

 

[TruSaint]

No Tyson Frizzel till round 2 or 3 due recovering from back surgery. Bummer.

Yep, I know we have depth ( thank God ), but this guy is a must.
Getting better and better so I hope he is "fully" recovered by the time he plays.

 

[Vasilevsky]

1. BennyV
2. Nightingale
3. Aitken
4. Lafai
5. Matautai
6. Widdop
7. Old Timer
8. Ah Mau
9. Nick (c)
10. Cooper
11.Thompson
12. Matthews
13. JDB

14. Creagh
15. Packer
16. Masoe
17. Marketo

Coach: Objective View

Water boys: coast dragons, country dragon

Straight Shooter

 

[Objective View]

1. BennyV
2. Nightingale
3. Aitken
4. Lafai
5. Matautai
6. Widdop
7. Old Timer
8. Ah Mau
9. Nick (c)
10. Cooper
11.Thompson
12. Matthews
13. JDB

14. Creagh
15. Packer
16. Masoe
17. Marketo

Coach: Objective View

Water boys: coast dragons, country dragon

Straight Shooter

Absolute gold.

Straight Shooter

 

[Country Dragon]

Absolute gold.

Straight Shooter

Vasil and Benji must be on their honeymoon not to make the team!

 

[BennyV]

1. BennyV
2. Nightingale
3. Aitken
4. Lafai
5. Matautai
6. Widdop
7. Old Timer
8. Ah Mau
9. Nick (c)
10. Cooper
11.Thompson
12. Matthews
13. JDB

14. Creagh
15. Packer
16. Masoe
17. Marketo

Coach: Objective View

Water boys: coast dragons, country dragon

Straight Shooter

Please. They couldn't afford me under the cap and unless Bruce Gordon is footing the bill, no way couldthey afford OV either.

 

[Old Timer]

Please. They couldn't afford me under the cap and unless Bruce Gordon is footing the bill, no way couldthey afford OV either.

Benny with this being Vasil's team we are all on the same pay rate courtesy of our beloved patron Mr Lennin.

I just hope the preseason training isn't in Oymyakon.

 

[Rookiedragon1]

How f#%k do the experts at RWL n fox sports have us predicted finishing 10th in 2016 bloody muppets!!

 

[BrissyRedV]

How f#%k do the experts at RWL n fox sports have us predicted finishing 10th in 2016 bloody muppets!!

That an improvement on 16th they had us last year. If they cannot see the improvement in our team then we get better odds at the Tab. Who cares what anyone else thinks of our chances. Makes it all the more sweeter when we succeed.

On a side note, having a look at some of the predicted "top" clubs and imo some are looking really thin on depth. I think some teams are underestimating the impact of the decreased interchange that will surely have an affect on player fitness/injuries.